That’s because each tea is a bit different, and you need to be able to control the temperature of the water to a tee, to ensure that you’re getting the tastiest cup you can.

With a microwave or, god forbid, an instant coffee machine, you get none of the control you would with a tea kettle. The water can also be heated unevenly which will make the taste even worse.

Most of the green tea I like needs to be steeped at 176 degrees Fahrenheit, and once I’ve figured out the signs that the water is at roughly that temperature, I can notice them when boiling the water in a kettle.

It gives you the most control over how you’re cooking your tea, and that’s why it’s the best choice around.

Tips for Finding the Best Tea Kettle

Finding the best tea kettle can be difficult since most of us just reach for the cheapest one around, by instinct. Here’s what you should watch out for when buying one.

1. The Materials are Important

Tea kettles used to be mostly iron and porcelain, but these days they can be made out of a lot of different materials, including steel, titanium and even silver or glass. This is not just a cosmetic difference; it also matters when it comes to the way it heats up water and what the water tastes like on its own.

Stainless steel is the popular and reliable choice – it heats up easily, holds heat decently well and it is mostly resistant to rust. It doesn’t impact the taste of the water either.

Cast iron is heavy and durable, but they do require careful cleaning of the inside to not scratch the enamel coating. They’re also poor at conducting heat, so it might take a while to get the right temperature with them.

Aluminum is also a good choice, and it heats up even faster than steel does, and they’re even more resistant to scratches and dents. However, aluminum can leak into the water which makes it a bit unsafe.

Glass kettles are easy to clean, and they have a nice, sleek look to them. However, they are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature which can make them shatter. You mostly shouldn’t even heat them directly on the stove, not without a metal trivet.

Copper is one of the best heat conductors, and it will help you save some energy. However, it is flimsy and easy to dent, scratch or break.

Those are most of the common materials, and it’s worth considering all of them before you make a final choice. I do prefer stainless steel myself but to each his own.

2. Find the Right Size

Picking the right size is important, and it’s a delicate balance to make.

If you pick a kettle that’s too large, it might take too long to heat the water up when you’re making tea.

If it’s too small, you’ll heat the water up quickly, but you won’t be able to make enough tea in one go, and some of it will go cold.

When you’re the only one who’s a tea lover in the house, a small one will do just nicely – one that’s large enough to make a cup or two. When you’re brewing for the whole family or a group of friends regularly, getting a larger one will pay off.

Consider what it is that you need and pick accordingly.

3. What’s the Design Like?

When I talk about the design of a tea kettle, I don’t mean just the aesthetics. No, I’m talking about functionality.

Some tea kettles have a seam on the bottom, for example, meaning that it’s separate from the top of the kettle. This might lead to rust appearing in the seam and the bottom separating from the top.

You want kettles that have a smooth curve where the bottom meets the walls, which means they’re made out of one piece of material.

Next up is the handle – you don’t want it to be too low since it will absorb heat from the stove and get too hot to touch. This can be especially bad if the handle is made out of plastic that melts easily and you have a gas stove.

You also don’t want the opening on the top of the kettle to be too narrow since that will make it too hard to see what’s happening inside.

You also want the spout to be shaped the right way so you can easily pour the water out of it without spilling it everywhere – otherwise, it can be a safety hazard.

Scan your tea kettle from top to bottom before you buy it.

4. Something Extra

It’s always nice to get a little bit more than you bargained for with your purchase. Tea kettles can come with teacups and other accessories, and they can have some in-built systems that can be useful. One of the best is a thermometer, for example.

Explore all the options and see what suits you. Sometimes a tea kettle with no extras can be the best choice if it’s good enough.

Most Recommended Tea Kettles: Detailed Reviews 2019

This is a heavy-looking tea kettle, let me tell you that, and it’s certainly made to last. It’s constructed out of solid stainless steel, and it is quite resistant to any dents and scratches – at least so far.

The color does seem to rub off rather quickly do, which is a shame since it looks so good – mine used to be bright red.

When it comes to capacity, it’s got plenty of that – 3 quarts in total, more than enough for a whole family, if you have one.

It’s easy to use too since it whistles when the water is read, and it seems to heat up rather quickly. However, the handle heats up quite a bit as well so make sure you wear some protection before you grab it and burn yourself.

Overall, it’s more than a decent tea kettle and one I’d heartily recommend even though the handle is a huge sore point.

Cons

This rainbow-colored kettle looks great on first glance, but the question is – does it hold up?

Well, so far it seems to work fine and is good at heating up the water quickly. The handle is also well-positioned, and it doesn’t get hot so you can grab it without any worries.

It’s also durable, and the color doesn’t rub off. Most of the material is stainless steel, but the outside color is made from titanium, though that doesn’t matter too much.

There are a few problems with it though. It claims to be a whistling tea kettle – it’s right there in the name – but it doesn’t’ whistle. Well, to be fair, it does, but I had to get my ear also next to it to hear the whistling which makes it completely useless.

Using it with a higher heat or open-flame stove is also out of the question – the bottom is thin, and it might warp if you do that.

Cons

One of the first things you’ll notice about this little kettle is the look it has. It’s almost antique-looking, and it will certainly make your tea party look sweet.

However, it’s not only the looks that count – it has something beyond that as well. Since it’s made out of stainless steel with a copper finish, it is able to heat up water rather quickly. It’s quicker than a regular stainless steel kettle.

Sadly, this also makes it easy to damage, and the copper finish might start to come off in a few months if you’re not careful.

The handle is also too thin for the weight of this kettle, and it might break if you’re not careful. It also gets hot and is not insulated at all, so watch out.

Cons

If you’re into tea kettles with a unique design, then this gooseneck kettle will be your type of thing.

One of the best things about it is the in-built thermometer which hones in on the temperatures between 195 and 205 degrees, but can also be used to check the temperature. That’s because this kettle is primarily made for pour-over coffee and not tea, but it works well either way.

It’s also durable for the most part and heats up well – it’s made out of stainless steel. However, you shouldn’t use it on high heat since it will warp. It’s also small, so it’s not well-suited for making tea for a bunch of guests – just one person.

Cons

This is a cute little tea kettle with a great look and a nice design. It’s made out of stainless steel and seems to be fairly durable for something that looks so fragile.

It also features a gooseneck spout so the water comes out slowly and there’s almost no chance of spilling it or over-filling your cup.

The water in it seems to heat up rather quickly but so does that handle which can be difficult to hold. Since it’s so small, it’s difficult to pick it up when wearing a heat-resistant glove as well.

Overall, it’s a decent tea kettle if you need a quick cup and you’re living alone, but otherwise, it’s not the way to go.

Pros

Fairly durable

Gooseneck spout design

Heats up quickly

Cons

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Extremely small

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The handle tends to heat up

The Final Word

It was always tricky for me to pick the best product when I started writing these, but I always try to let my personal bias stay out of it and pick them based on merit.

Today, I have to admit I’m a bit biased. For me, the Creative Home 77066 Alexa seems like the best tea kettle simply because it’s the one that’s most like my old’ reliable, the one I bought five years ago, and that’s still going strong.

It’s made out of stainless steel, it whistles, it’s large and in charge – it’s got everything I want. The situation with the handle bothers me, but I can use a glove to grab it safely, so it’s not such a big deal.

What do you think? Do you agree with me or do you have a different opinion? Whatever may be the case, pop down into the comments and tell me what you think.

Barbara Whitney

For the last 20 years, I’ve been cooking, preparing, researching, and gathering recipes, tools, and knowledge about food and the way we prepare it. Raising two lively boys and spoiling one great husband later, it’s safe to say that I’ve optimized my kitchen to deliver the best possible meal, no matter the occasion.

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